The super-fast data speeds of 5G aren’t just limited to the wealthy — we’re now seeing the service become available on much more affordable handsets. What once seemed like a distant dream is now common, with all of the top phones released in the last year, including the iPhone 13 series and Samsung’s Galaxy S21, being fully enabled to take advantage of those 5G phone speeds. The Pixel 6 arrived recently too, though the picture regarding 5G is rather murky for Google’s new flagship phone.
Though it won’t replace 4G in its entirety, 5G is the next generation of mobile connectivity. 5G works fast, and many industries will benefit from the new network, including drones, self-driving cars and the internet of things. Its growth across the US, the UK and the wider world has been fast, but it’s still not everywhere, so make sure 5G coverage is available — or at least coming soon — in your area before you splash the cash on a 5G-enabled handset.
Remember that a 5G phone will still work as normal on a 4G network (albeit at lower speeds) so don’t be afraid of buying a 5G phone like the S21 Ultra even if you’re not in a 5G zone. It’s good practice to future-proof yourself; you may not be in a 5G zone right now, but it may well be that 5G will come to your area in the three years or so you have your phone, so at least you’ll be ready to take advantage of it when it arrives.
But with 5G handsets being offered by every major phone manufacturer now, it can be difficult to work out which is best for you. We’ve done some of the hard work and put together our list of our top 5G-enabled phones that you can go and buy right now.
Read: Cheaper 5G phones are on the horizon, but they probably won’t be very good
Patrick Holland/CNET
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
At $899, the Google Pixel 6 Pro undercuts rivals on price while including so much value. It comes with a flagship camera setup, new AI features, a crisp display and a distinctive design. If you only have $600 to spend, you get get the lower-end Pixel 6, which still sports the flagship cameras and a big screen.
Angela Lang/CNET
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is the best phone Samsung makes right now, packing everything you’d expect from an elite flagship phone. It’s got a big, vibrant screen and an incredible rear camera setup (including a zoom lens unlike anything we’ve seen). It’s absolutely stuffed with power. This Android phone doesn’t come cheap, but it’s the 5G phone to go for if you’re looking for the best of the best in an Android handset.
Read our Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G review.
Angela Lang/CNET
Sarah Tew/CNET
Despite its high price tag and being a Verizon exclusive in the US, the Edge Plus is still a premium 5G smartphone worth looking into. This 5G phone features a Snapdragon 865 chipset, a giant battery, an OLED screen with a high refresh rate and multiple rear cameras with heavy-duty specs. As CNET’s Patrick Holland declared, it’s “one of the most wonderful Android phones I’ve tried in a long time.”
Read our Motorola Edge Plus review.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro impressed with their excellent performance, their slick designs and their generally decent cameras. While both are 5G signal enabled, it was the base OnePlus 9 that particularly wowed us, with its much better battery life and its more affordable price tag. It’s the phone to go for if you want a flagship experience but don’t want to empty your bank account to get it.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Sarah Tew/CNET
Read our Galaxy A52 5G review.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Released in January, the Motorola One 5G Ace is the best 5G phone available under $400 right now. It features a big 6.7-inch IPS LCD display and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G. It can capture 48-megapixel photos with an option for 8-megapixel ultrawide and 2-megapixel macro shots. It’s your best bet under $400.
Read our Motorola One 5G Ace review.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Angela Lang/CNET
Want to get in on the foldable craze? The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is the phone to get. It offers flagship performance, good cameras and a decent battery life — all crammed into a small package that looks really, really cool.
Read our Galaxy Z Flip 3 review.
Motorola
Read our Motorola One 5G review.
Samsung
Read our Galaxy A71 5G first take.
Sony
The Xperia 5 II is a pricey but gorgeous phone for users who like to play games, shoot photos and record video. Its 120Hz display is silky smooth and its quasi mirrorless camera can record 4K 120fps video. And while it can connect to 5G, the US model of the phone cannot.
Read our Sony Xperia 5 II review.
From Apple to Samsung: 5G phones available right now
See all photos
+13 More
Discover the latest news and best reviews in smartphones and carriers from CNET’s mobile experts.
More phone advice
- Best wireless charging pads under $20
- Best Android phone for 2022
- Pixel 6 event recap: Android 12’s release, Tensor chip, 5G and more
Article source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/best-5g-phones/#ftag=CAD4aa2096